Luckystar stretched her forelegs out and licked the ruffled fur back into sleekness. One sunrise remained until DarkClan would attack, and one moon remained until her kits would be born. She was sure that there were more kits in this litter then her first litter; the heaviness was almost unbearable. But she knew she couldn't tell the Clan about the identity of the father. Rainfall would have to stay her secret.

Speaking of secrets, Goldenperch had caught her walking into the camp late, and on a late visit to Rainfall to tell him about the kits, she had heard rustling in the bushes as well as a faint scent after Rainfall had left.

Echoflight's scent was on the bushes, and Luckystar was afraid she knew what had happened. However, this was no time to cause trouble within the Clan, when they needed to be strong.

Licking her chest fur quickly, she finished grooming the base of her tail before shaking out her fur and leaving the den. The bright sunlight of sunhigh seemed to be mocking her, giving her good weather, the calm before the storm.

"Morning, Goldenperch," Luckystar nodded to her deputy and sister as she bounded down the rocks leading up to her den.

"The dawn patrol reported a fox around the Tall Tree. Shall I send a patrol to drive it out?" Goldenperch reported.

"Just what we need!" Luckystar muttered, her brain a turmoil.

Fight or ignore?

"We'll ignore it until the battle ends tomorrow. We can't afford to get injured now." Luckystar decided.

"Alright." Goldenperch mewed curtly. "Do you need to talk to the Clan before I organize patrols?"

Talk to the Clan? Right. "Yes, I'll organize the patrols for tomorrow."

The Clan gathered around her after hearing the traditional summons made by the ancient Clans. Goldenperch narrowed her eyes at her from the base of the Highledge.

What's her problem? Luckystar thought. Then, she dismissed it.

"We're still here!" Molewhisker snapped into her thoughts.

"Sorry. Right. So, uh- as you all know, tomorrow we are fighting the battle of our lives. DarkClan has been preparing, but so have we. We have all trained and trained. Firstly, I just want to say that no Clan leader's ever been proud of her cats like I am. You are all loyal and brave warriors. If we win the battle tomorrow, it will be because of you. Now.

The first battle patrol will be made up of Beetlenose, Cherryheart, Dovewing, Echoflight, Whitewing, Hazeltail, Icecloud, Molewhisker and Sunpaw. Goldenperch will lead the patrol.

The second battle patrol will be made up of Birchfall, Cinderheart, Duskpelt, Hollyleaf, Ivypool, Lionblaze, Poppyfrost, Toadstep, Thunderstorm and Dawnpaw. Squirrelflight will lead this patrol.

Leafpool, Foxleap and Frogpaw will make up the messenger patrol."

Frogpaw gave her a grateful look. It was clear he was scared and didn't want to fight, but Luckystar respected that.

"And finally, the cats that will stay in camp are Bumblestripe, Bushpelt, Briarlight, Pineleaf, Rosepetal, Snowfall, Lightningstrike and Thornclaw. Of course, the elders and medicine cats will stay in the camp as well. Dawnpaw and Sunpaw, you have a special job."

At this, both apprentices' faces lit up.

"Really?" Sunpaw gasped.

"It will be your job to bring any seriously wounded cats from your battle patrols back to the camp. And you will also be acting as a messenger if you are outnumbered badly. For the messenger patrol, Leafpool has experience with healing, so she will take some herbs with her just in case they run into an injured cat." Luckystar continued briskly.

"The elders, Lightningstrike and Briarlight will all move into the warriors' den, it's the biggest and most defendable. Jayfeather and Larkleaf will also be moving their herb stores into the warriors' den. The apprentices can help them with that. Luckily, we have no kits that could die today." She paused.

"Any objections?" Goldenperch mewed clearly.

"I speak on behalf of all the elders. We can still fight, you know?" Brightheart stood up.

"I think we should let them help us defend the camp." Dawnpaw told her mentor.

"Same!" Sunpaw added.

"Okay. You can help the warriors who are staying in the camp defend Lightningstrike, Briarlight and the camp." Luckystar agreed.

Graystripe and Sandstorm unsheathed their claws and exchanged ferocious looks. Firestar stood up tall and straight and looked like a young cat again.

"And now, I don't want any more border patrols. We are allies with the other Clans right now. But I do want every warrior out hunting. We need fresh kill. Apprentices, help the medicine cats and Leafpool gather herbs. And I'll see you all before dawn tomorrow." Luckystar finished off.

---

A little before dawn, Luckystar woke. She was peaceful for a heartbeat, but then she remembered what day it was.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!" she yowled.

All the cats were already up and eating their fresh kill.

"As you know, today's the day. Battle patrols, leave the camp and go drive out DarkClan! Messenger patrol, patrol in our territory until you need to deliver a message. Cats who are staying in camp, start to move the elders, Briarlight, Lightningstrike and the herbs inside the warriors' den. I wish you all luck to survive this horrible day." Luckystar announced.

---

Goldenperch's POV

Goldenperch travelled at the head of her patrol. Beetlenose, Cherryheart, Dovewing, Echoflight, Whitewing, Hazeltail, Icecloud, Molewhisker and Sunpaw followed her quietly. Suddenly, her ears twitched. Goldenperch heard sounds of fighting coming from the Tall Tree's direction. She signalled with her tail for the patrol to follow her and saw the Squirrelflight's patrol surrounded by DarkClan cats.

"Wait," she whispered to her patrol.

Squirrelflight caught her eye. She gave Goldenperch a firm nod then darted back into the battle.

"Attack!" Goldenperch gave the signal.

Beetlenose and Cherryheart immediately darted for three DarkClan she-cats who had cornered Dawnpaw. They matched moves and sent a DarkClan tortoiseshell running. Dawnpaw joined in with extra strength.

Goldenperch looked around for her own opponent and saw her daughter Echoflight trapped in between two enemy toms – and her brother, Demonclaw! Goldenperch let out a yowl of rage and bowled one of the toms over. The tom fought back, but Goldenperch plunged her claws into his throat. Blood gurgled and he stopped moving. He was dead. At her side, Toadstep fought off the other tom.

"Stop!" Demonclaw raised his voice into a yowl. "Stop the fighting!"

All the Dark Forest cats suddenly stopped, while the ThunderClan cats paused, as if unsure if it was a trick or not. But one cat stepped forward.

Echoflight!

"Demonclaw. I challenge you to a fight." Echoflight spoke clearly.

"A challenge?" Demonclaw laughed. "You're on!"

Goldenperch felt unable to watch her kits fighting each other, but she had to be brave and strong. She braced herself and moved closer. A pale yellow she-cat watched with interest.

Demonclaw seemed to be winning, dodging Echoflight's claw strike and ducking under her to pummel her soft belly. Echoflight seemed to be hesitating, lashing out with sheathed claws, as if afraid to hurt her brother, while Demonclaw had no hesitations.

Suddenly, a bolt of inspiration shot through her mind.

"Fight back, Echoflight!" she cheered. The ThunderClan cats quickly joined in, adding their voices.

Demonclaw growled and raked his claws down the side of Echoflight's face. Goldenperch stifled a gasp of horror. Out of the blue, Demonclaw stepped back.

His throat muscles worked fiercely, and he whimpered, "E-Echoflight?"

Brother. I have given you too many chances. Ever since we were kits, play-fighting, you unsheathed your claws. You hurt me. You bullied me." Echoflight stood up, proud and strong.

"You don't feel any remorse. You don't feel guilt. You don't feel love. You're not a cat, Demonclaw. You're a monster." She continued.

"And I don't feel any loyalty to you anymore. You were never loyal to the things that matter to me most either. Goldenperch. ThunderClan. You allied yourself with DarkClan and a bunch of worthless rogues." Echoflight hissed.

That's my kit! Goldenperch thought wildly.

A group of rogues growled, and the light yellow she-cat shot Demonclaw an angry glare. "Kill her, Demonclaw!" she yowled.

Goldenperch watched her son. He seemed to be struggling. Maybe he'll have remorse.

"Echoflight. You're right." Demonclaw said finally. "And that's why I need to reverse the mistakes. Make the world right again."

No, Demonclaw. Nothing will be normal again. Goldenperch flinched.

"You don't understand, brother. You don't forgive and you've never lifted a claw to help anyone. That cat, Spark? She's just the proof of your disloyalty. I thought you actually liked Dawnpaw, but perhaps I was wrong." Echoflight spat the words out.

"I know." Demonclaw fell to the ground. "And I'm glad that I got to understand the meaning of love before I died. I was a selfish cat." He mewed to Echoflight.

"I WAS A SELFISH CAT!" he yowled to the whole world, startling Goldenperch. "I only thought of myself. Which is why my death will fix things. Goodbye, Echoflight. Goodbye, Goldenperch. I'm sorry that your kit had to end up like this."

"I forgive you," Goldenperch licked Demonclaw's shredded ears and moved back. Echoflight licked his cheek and huddled against Goldenperch.

Demonclaw turned to the light yellow she-cat and they exchanged a few words before Demonclaw grew still.

"Demonclaw!" Goldenperch yowled with grief.

"Our deputy!" a cat shouted.

The DarkClan cats scattered except for the light yellow she-cat who stayed by Demonclaw's side.

Goldenperch approached her. "I'm sorry. Did you love him?"

"I did." Her voice shook. "And I'm carrying his kits."

---

Luckystar threw off a mottled gray tom and clawed him. Movement by the barrier caught her eye. She quickly head-butted the tom in the stomach and he lay on the ground, dazed.

Thank StarClan! It wasn't more invaders; it was just Goldenperch's patrol. Goldenperch was carrying a body. A lump formed in Luckystar's throat. However, they drew closer and she let out a breath of relief. It was Demonclaw, and not one of their Clanmates.

"Echoflight, warriors' den, now." Luckystar ordered the black she-cat. She was bleeding heavily and her eyes dull.

"Goldenperch, what happened?" Luckystar questioned her sister urgently.

"Echoflight killed Demonclaw in a challenge. I brought his mate back; she's wounded and carrying kits." Goldenperch stepped back and a pale yellow she-cat dipped her head.

"I'm Spark. Now that Demonclaw is dead, I would like to join your group." Spark mewed confidently.

"I'll deal with you after the battle ends," Luckystar growled. "Go to the warriors' den and stay there."

Spark dipped her head before going to the warriors' den.

"I'll take your patrol out again. You can stay in camp." Luckystar told Goldenperch before waving her tail for the patrol to follow her.

As they left the camp, it was clear that they had walked into an ambush. Four cats piled themselves on Beetlenose and Luckystar watched as they killed the warrior.

"No!" Luckystar caterwauled and threw herself on one of the cats, biting his ear and clawing at his belly. Teeth snapped near her neck and she recoiled, hissing furiously. Icecloud sprang to her aid, clawing and biting wherever she could. Dovewing and Hazeltail worked together to defeat a huge gray tom and Sunpaw, Cherryheart and Molewhisker stood their ground against five enemies.

Luckystar found herself locked in battle with a pale brown she-cat who was surprisingly fast. She snapped for the cat's ear, but they only bit thin air. Teeth tugged at her tail and she whipped around. Quietly, she stalked towards the cat. Swiftly, she pushed a paw down on the cat's throat, with claws unsheathed.

"Leave!" she hissed.

The cat had terror on her face, and as soon as Luckystar let go, she bolted for her life.

"Luckystar! Help!" Cherryheart yelped.

Luckystar turned and saw blood welling at Cherryheart's neck.

"Sunpaw! Take Cherryheart back to camp!" Luckystar ordered the apprentice.

Sunpaw nodded and supported Cherryheart.

Whitewing and Hazeltail smirked in satisfaction as they sent two she-cats running and Icecloud let out a purr as two toms banged their heads together.

"Good job! That's all of them!" Luckystar congratulated the patrol. Let's catch up with Cherryheart and Sunpaw."

"Beetlenose?" Hazeltail prodded the dead warrior.

"He's dead, Hazeltail." Luckystar mewed gently.

"How?" she meowed.

"DarkClan." Dovewing answered grimly.

Dovewing, Hazeltail and Icecloud picked up Beetlenose's body and traipsed back to camp. Luckystar stared in horror as she noticed Molewhisker limping.

"Molewhisker, medicine den!" she commanded quickly. "The rest of you, help defend the camp."

"Luckystar!" Goldenperch ran to her side. "The messenger patrol got back from the Gathering Island and say that Tigerstar wants to see all the leaders."

"Alright." Luckystar growled. "I'll go there and kill him."

"I'll organize a patrol for you." Goldenperch offered.

"Thanks." Luckystar licked a deep cut on her flank while Goldenperch called cats out.

Soon, Goldenperch, Bumblestripe, Bushpelt, Pineleaf, Rosepetal, Snowfall and Thornclaw padded to her side.

"Let's go." The eight cats ran flank-to-flank until they reached the Island.

"Tigerstar! Where are you, you mouse-heart?" Luckystar called loudly.

A dark tabby with glowing amber eyes appeared. "Here." He replied smoothly. Then he leapt at her.

Luckystar dodged his leap and retaliated by scraped her claws across his eyes. He winced in pain but continued attacking with swift and precise blows. Luckystar found herself going on the defensive. She leapt into the air to avoid a charge and decided to go on the attack when she felt pain on her neck. She looked down, surprised to see blood trickling down from a large cut.

Light-headed, she collapsed on the ground.

"Greetings, Luckystar." Bluestar mewed. "You have lost your second life."

"I must go back." Luckystar stood up.

"Yes, you will." Bluestar agreed.

Soon, Bluestar disappeared and she faced Tigerstar again. "Ready for more?" she taunted.

Tigerstar snarled with anger and ran at her, but she was ready. She slid underneath his body and stabbed her claws into his belly. A high-pitched whine emerged from Tigerstar and his body landed on top of Luckystar.

Luckystar couldn't breathe, Tigerstar's dead body was choking her.

"H-help!" she rasped before falling into unconsciousness again.

"Greetings, Luckystar. You have lost your third life." Bluestar mewed calmly.

"I know, Bluestar! Send me back!"

"Patience. Your warriors are trying to rescue you. You can't go back until they have." Bluestar purred.

"Makes sense," Luckystar grunted.

"They are done. The Final Battle is over, Luckystar. Take your wounded back to the camp. Good luck."